Chemical engineers focus on developing and optimizing processes for producing chemicals, materials, and energy efficiently and safely. When crafting your resume, highlight your experience with process design, project management, and proficiency in relevant software tools. Consider incorporating skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, and teamwork. Additionally, mentioning successful projects and your contributions to safety improvements can greatly enhance your appeal to potential employers.
All Resume Templates Alex Johnson Chemical Engineer | Biochemistry Expert | Process Optimization | Research & Development +1-541-754-3010 help@enhancv.com San Francisco, CAWith over 7 years of experience as a Chemical Engineer, I specialize in biochemistry, process optimization, and research & development. I've led teams in developing innovative biochemical processes and have a track record of optimizing existing ones. My passion for green chemistry and innovation drives me to constantly seek out new solutions.
Experience Chemical Engineer 2017 - 2022 BioTech Solutions San Francisco, CA Focused on optimizing biochemical processes and leading R&D initiatives. Led a team of 10 in researching new biochemical processes. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements. Oversaw the scaling up of processes from lab to production scale. Published 5 research papers in reputed journals on innovative biochemical processes. Junior Chemical Engineer 2015 - 2017 ChemCorp Industries San Francisco, CA Assisted in research and process optimization in the biochemistry department. Conducted experiments to test and validate new processes. Assisted in scaling up processes and ensuring quality control. Collaborated with senior engineers in process optimization tasks. Documented research findings and contributed to 3 research papers. Master's in Chemical Engineering 2013 - 2015 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering 2009 - 2013 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Biochemical Processes Optimized biochemical processes, resulting in 30% increased efficiency. Research & Development Led R&D teams in developing innovative solutions in the biochemistry domain. Process Optimization Implemented process improvements, reducing waste and increasing yield. Biochemical Processes Research & Development Process Optimization Quality Control Lab Experiments Data Analysis Team Leadership Project Management Process Scaling Documentation Key Achievements Innovative Research Developed a novel biochemical process that was patented. Team Leadership Led a team that was recognized for its contributions to the field of biochemistry. Continuous Learning Regularly attend conferences to stay updated with the latest in chemical engineering. www.enhancv.com
You’re the great catalyst.
But before you make an impact in your industry, you need to unleash a chain reaction in the HR department with your Chemical Engineering resume.
That can be deceptively hard and can easily get out of control if you don’t know what you’re doing.
There are 4 times more graduates in chemical and biomedical engineering fighting for the same position compared to other engineering fields.
If the pressure is rising on you finding a job in chemical engineering, just remember that it turns charcoal to diamond.
In this guide, we’ll help you write your chemical engineering resume and shine through the competition.
Our Chemical Engineering resume guide is designed to help you:
Let’s help you out with related Engineering resumes:
You’re shooting out applications like hot potatoes, but your phone is cooler than liquid nitrogen.
Don’t tear up your degree! Most likely your chemical engineering resume is letting you down.
Start with a blank page. A good resume is exactly one page long.
Any longer and recruiters can become annoyed with unnecessary details. They can even lose pages of your resume or get them mixed up with other applications.
Going shorter however, doesn’t mean sacrificing critical details.
Recruiters and automated HR software can discard your application if they don’t find the commonly expected sections listed below.
The only way to fit so much information one single page is by using an appropriate format. Here are the most common resume layouts for chemical engineers:
A good layout will make your chemical engineering resume easy to read and scan.
A hiring manager going through your resume will be interested in how you improved the process at the former plant you worked in.
Showcase your results and stand proud of your achievements.
Need ideas? Here are some of the skills and experience which will move the needle in your favor.
Your recruiter needs to easily find your name, phone number, email and address. The header section needs to convey this information effortlessly. The design of your resume and especially your typographic settings play a critical role here.
A professional title is important to indicate you have relevant experience. If possible, pick a title that matches your new job title perfectly. Make sure it’s not significantly different from your actual title. Providing false or misleading information is a sure way to get rejected.
Lets see a couple of chemical engineering resume headers. Which one sounds more complete?
Thirty years ago this resume header would have been just fine. In today’s digital age, it’s odd both the email and website slots are empty.
Like many engineering positions, chemical engineering involves significant time spent on the computer, writing reports, emails, using CAD or PM software.
Even if you don’t use it, add an email address. Add also your Linkedin profile or personal website. If your application is promising, recruiters would love to browse and learn more about you.
The next chemical engineering header sample is better.
Robert J. Stanley Chemical Process Engineer 1-419-702-0612 RobertJStanley@mail.com Still Street Toledo, OH RIGHTThis looks much better. The header is complete with all necessary information recruiters might need to contact you.
Furthermore, this chemical engineer has taken the opportunity to make their title more specific to match the exact title listed in the job description.
Last but not least, there’s the Linkedin profile. It’s probably not a factor for your job, but definitely a factor in the process of getting hired.
If your profile is fully developed, Linkedin can be a tool for connecting with companies looking to hire. Recruiters use it all the time to hunt for professionals. Make their job easier by adding your profile in your chemical engineering resume and they will reward you.
Imagine this is a job interview at Bayer. What questions will they ask in regards to a process engineering position?
A good chemical engineering resume summary will interweave the answers in a couple of lines, while adding unique selling points and personality.
Let’s get practical.
I’m an engineer with 12 months of experience. My team performed quality control and supervision to the tablet production line. Supported the machine operators and helped optimize the production. Collected performance and production data and made reports for the production managers.
WRONGThis candidate could well be a mechanical engineer, or an industrial engineer. By not specified their field, the applicant leaves recruiters wondering.
The rest of the summary sounds more like a basic job description. It provides only a vague direction of the applicant’s daily responsibilities. There is nothing specific or interesting to make this summary stand out from the rest.
BS Chemical Engineer with experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Duties included supervision and optimization of powder processing machines - feeders, blenders, mills, tablet presses. Product quality control and testing using Six Sigma principles. Data collection and analysis using SAP ERP, reporting to managers and stakeholders.
RIGHTThis chemical engineer has an impactful summary which recruiters will remember. They’ve made sure to include their diploma, specific experience in the industry and software knowledge.
It’s just slightly longer than the first resume example, but it provides a lot more information.
Even if only a two or three items match the job description, recruiters will definitely read the whole resume and consider this applicant for an interview.
If you’re still in school, you’re more likely applying to chemical engineering internships or entry-level positions.
Since you don’t have professional experience, replace the summary section with a resume objective.
It will define your key abilities and set forward your expectations.
I’m a third year Chemical Engineering student. I’m looking for an internship to develop my skills further and gain entry into the petroleum industry and oil derivatives. I don’t have a lot of experience, but I’m motivated to learn and work hard on my assigned tasks.
WRONGThe problem with this resume objective is the student hardly demonstrates what skills they can contribute to their organization.
They show resolve and motivation to learn and develop, but companies want something more.
If you want to land an internship in your dream company, you must show you’re already working on relevant projects. You should pull your own weight and get up to speed in half the time other interns can.
The next Chemical Engineering student has an impressive resume objective which focuses on a cool extracurricular project they did on top of their mandatory courses.
Chemical Engineering student with an interest in the petrochemical industry. Designed a table top plastic press producing recycled table coasters out of shredded PET bottles. Looking for an internship at a plastic manufacturing and recycling company.
RIGHTWhere one student blatantly admits they can’t do anything, the other demonstrates a working machine to study and experiment with manufacturing technologies.
They can’t be any more relevant to the plastic manufacturing industry. Any company would dream to get such a proactive intern.
You’re not going to get hired simply because of a good summary or objective. However, your recruiter can bump you up in front of similarly experienced candidates who didn’t demonstrate such passion and drive.
Did you nudge the numbers in the right direction?
Hiring managers want to see what impact you made at your previous job.
Be specific and include details about the tools, software and equipment you’ve worked with.
Of course, the more relevant your work experience is, the better your chances of getting hired. So, read the job description again and try to match the requirements. If possible use the same words and phrases.
Check out the chemical engineering resume work experience samples below.
Responsible for designing tests and hydraulic studies of plant equipment and plumbing before commissioning
Communicated with all interested parties and other engineering departments to ensure all test criteria are met
Handling documentation and RFIs from 3rd party suppliers to support integration of externally designed systems
Collaborated with quality control to establish a procedure for testing raw materials and ingredients before they enter the production processes
Participated in meetings with major stakeholders and reporting on testing results and trial progress.
WRONGThis chemical engineering work experience isn’t particularly impactful.
The candidate is vague about what their work actually was. Such generic descriptions hardly provide any information and leave reviewers with more questions than answers.
The exact chemical formulas and processes are usually company secrets. But you can talk more freely about standard industry equipment, plant design, unit processes and safety technologies.
Be more specific and provide examples of how you improved the organization with your hard work.
Let’s see another work experience example.
Experience Water treatment engineer Public Water Systems 07/2014 - 04/2019 Chicago, IL Took responsibility for unit operations in a water treatment facilityUsed Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus to simulate settling and filtration processes and optimize the working parameters
Designed replacement sedimentation tanks and associated plumbing and valves Lead the HAZOP studies and PFMEA analysis, organizing a team of chemical engineers Worked with the quality engineers to update SOPs for operatorsRoutinely performed inspections of the clarifiers and filtration machines and issued recommendations to operators and maintenance crew
Performed lab tests of water samples to confirm nominal process operation RIGHTThis chemical engineering resume is way more impressive. The candidate provides plenty of examples of what technology, equipment and software they used on the job.
Phrases like “took responsibility” can help you frame yourself as a proactive engineer who drives their organization forward.
Check the job description for inspiration. Look for similarities between your employer’s values and your experience.
Chemical engineering students and recent graduates may struggle writing their resumes.
What to put on the page when you don’t have any work experience?
Well, what does it say in the company description. Find the tangent line between their corporate values and your own views and motivation. This is the same for any chemical engineering resume - student or senior.
Avoid talking extensively about your university courses. Thousands of other chemical engineers take them. Hiring managers already expect you to have sufficient theoretical information.
They are looking for something beyond the curriculum.
The skills section will help you clearly display your chemical engineering skills and abilities.
This is especially important since major manufacturing plants frequently use automated recruitment systems. They will scan your resume looking for skills matching the employer’s desired profile.
